Job description for hotel housekeeper

Written by nichelle coleman

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Hotel (hotel image by GonÃ§alo Carreira from Fotolia.com)

When guests check into a hotel room, it is neat and clean because of the efforts of the housekeeper. Guests are also given housekeeping service during their visit and have the option of posting a "Do Not Disturb" sign on their door so that the housekeeper will not enter the room. In addition to regular cleaning services, guests can request additional cleaning if necessary due to a spill or accident.

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Duties

Hotel housekeepers are responsible for keeping guest rooms clean. They are also responsible for providing clean linen and bedding, vacuuming and removing trash. In addition to cleaning, housekeepers will also provide extra linen by request. They will also perform a thorough cleaning after guests have checked out of the hotel. Housekeepers may also be called upon to answer telephones or run errands, such as taking laundry to the cleaners. Housekeepers are expected to be reliable and in good health.

Education

Most hotels don't require that housekeepers have a formal education, but most have at least a high school education. If a hotel housekeeper has expectations of becoming a supervisor, she may be required to have some college hours in addition to a high school diploma. In addition, many supervisors are members of the International Executive Housekeepers Association. This association offers two certification programs, the Certified Executive Housekeeper, for those with a high school education, and the Registered Executive Housekeeper, for those who have a college degree.

Training

Many hotels offer a training program for their housekeepers. New employees generally work under the guidance of a veteran housekeeper. The new employee is taught proper cleaning methods and how to safely use cleansing agents in guest rooms. As the new employee becomes more experienced, he is usually released to work alone.

Warning

Since hotel housekeepers are constantly performing tasks that require bending, stooping or lifting, they are susceptible to back strain and injury. In addition, their duties require that they are always standing, which can lead to pain or soreness in their feet.

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage of housekeepers was estimated to be £5.90 in 2008. The middle per cent of these workers earned between £5.10 and £7.20 with the lowest 10 per cent earning less than £4.60.